How to Create a Study Plan for Fruit of the Spirit

The Greek word "karpos" -- fruit -- is used 66 times in the Bible, both literally and metaphorically.

Galatians 5:22-23a contains a list of virtues often cited for Christians but less often examined in detail. In particular, a plan for studying the passage in depth should include contextual information about when, by whom and to whom the epistle was written, and an examination of the Greek words used in the list. In their original context, these words can provide a window into the lives of early Christians and perhaps an even better understanding of how to recognize the working of the Holy Spirit in the 21st century.

Things You'll Need

• Commentary on the epistle to the Galatians
• Lexicon of Biblical Greek

Instructions

Examine the Context of the Passage

1. 

   A study Bible includes general commentary and contextual footnotes to significant passages.

   Compare the summaries of scholarship that precede the epistle to the Galatians in study Bibles such as "The New Interpreter's Study Bible." These are generally only a page or two long and include information on the dating of known manuscripts, textual analysis, comparisons with other epistles that may or may not be attributed to Paul and material on what has been discovered about the "churches of Galatia" to which the epistle is addressed and the crisis there that prompted Paul to write.

2. Review the same scholars' comments on the specific passage, most often published as footnotes to the text. For example, Frank J. Matera, in "The New Interpreter's Study Bible," finds it significant that Paul used the singular "fruit" for the product of inspiration, and the plural "works" in verse 19 to introduce the list of the destructive characteristics of subjection to the flesh. Compare other study Bibles, commentary published on the Web, or more extensive commentaries published as separate books and consider whether you agree that this is a significant point to make in your study of the passage.

3. Read surrounding passages, particularly verses 16 to 18, which set up the contrast of flesh and Spirit and their effects on individuals and communities. Note Paul's reference in verse 18 to the law (Greek "nomos") as also opposed to the Spirit-led life; this is one of Paul's recurring themes, especially when writing to primarily Gentile communities. It refers to the controversy with Christians of Jewish origin, who sometimes insisted all Christians must follow the rules of Christianity's original context.

Study the Words and Translations

1. Look up each of the nine fruits in a Greek lexicon. Pay special attention to the etymology of each Greek word, which may be quite different from the English words chosen in familiar translations. For instance, the fourth fruit is translated "longsuffering" in the King James Version and "patience" in the New Revised Standard Version and other modern translations. Interpreters who make a point of the "suffering" in the King James Version have missed the point, because the Greek word, "macrothumia," is a compound of words meaning "big" and something like "passion." "Suffer" just didn't have the same meaning in the early 17th century that it does today.

2. Compare other places in the Bible where each of the Greek words was used, especially other places Paul has used it, and compare the translations in those contexts. The word often here translated "kindness," "chrestotes," isn't the word attested in Jesus' teachings. In fact, it's used only 10 times, only in Paul's letters, and is etymologically related to notions of propriety and usefulness. For a community under oppression and working to survive until God stepped in any day, as the Galatian Christians were, this sort of translation may be much more appropriate.

3. Investigate words related to those in the list of fruits, either through the Greek or the translations. Even the simplest words, such as "love," may reveal complexities of meaning. This "agape" is different from the other Biblical love, on the verb root "philos," but it is the root of every adjective commonly translated "beloved." This more passionate and active understanding of inspired love could open a lively discussion in your study.

Tips & Warnings

• Present your findings in commentaries and word studies as resources for participants in your study and allow them to draw their own conclusions and share how the Spirit speaks to them from the text. You may all learn from each other.

References

• Oremus.org: Galatians 5:22-23, NRSV
• "Thayer's Greek Definitions"; Electronic Edition STEP Files, QuickVerse; 1999
• "The New Interpreter's Study Bible": Galatians; Frank J. Matera; 2003